The Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors has announced that they will be hosting a workshop focused on enrollment and budget matters on April 11. The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will be held at the VCU College of Health Professions, located at 900 E. Leigh St. The public will have the opportunity to view a livestream of the open session video conference at mssvideo.vcu.edu/BOV.According to the article, senior administration at VCU will provide updates on enrollment and present an overview of the university's budget during the workshop. The...
Yi Wang, PhD, a postdoctoral associate (geriatrics) at Yale School of Medicine, has led a recent study alongside co-senior authors, Thomas Gill, MD, and Robert Becher, MD, to examine the rates of hospital readmissions within 30 and 180 days after major surgery for older adults.In a Q&A session, Yi Wang shared insights into the research, stating, "We know that many older Americans undergo surgery. In our previous research, we found an increased risk of mortality within one year after major surgery for persons aged 65 years or older." Wang highlighted the importance of...
Former Miss America 2020, Camille Schrier, is set to graduate with a doctorate in pharmacy from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2024. Schrier's journey from beauty queen to pharmacy student has been filled with unique experiences and opportunities that have shaped her perspective on healthcare and advocacy.During her time at VCU School of Pharmacy, Schrier emphasized the importance of her Miss America experience in broadening her view of the world. She highlighted, "It was the most important experience of my time in the VCU School of Pharmacy. It gave me a greater...
Three first-year University of Rochester students, Asad Shahab, Adam Bowen, and Michael Koomson, are set to help NASA study the sun's corona as a total solar eclipse passes over Rochester, New York on April 8. The students are part of the Citizen CATE 2024 experiment, one of over 30 teams nationwide participating in the project.Shahab, an applied math major, shared his excitement for the project, stating, "Astrophotography has been a hobby of mine for a long time and when I saw the Google ad looking for participants, I thought, ‘I have to do this.’" He further expressed...
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has implemented a new policy requiring medical providers to obtain written consent before conducting intimate examinations, particularly on patients under anesthesia. The initiative was driven by the advocacy and research efforts of Lori Bruce, associate director of Yale’s Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, with the support of the Institution for Social and Policy Studies.Bruce expressed gratitude for the collective efforts that led to this significant milestone, stating, “This landmark achievement for patient consent...
Virginia Commonwealth University's Provost Fotis Sotiropolous has unveiled draft final recommendations aimed at repositioning the university to enhance its efficiency, innovation, and academic appeal. Sotiropolous expressed confidence in the recommendations, stating that they will "fuel VCU’s ascent as we emerge among the nation’s most influential and impactful universities."The recommendations focus on cultivating an inclusive and welcoming environment, empowering faculty and students to engage in transdisciplinary research, and preparing graduates to be creative...
In a new study of Syrian refugee families with small children, fathers viewed themselves as highly involved parents; their wives often begged to differ.The study, co-authored by Yale anthropologist Catherine Panter-Brick, found that this disagreement between spouses predicted significant deficits in their children’s social and emotional development even though the fathers’ actual level of parental involvement had no measurable effect on those outcomes.Catherine Panter-Brick, the lead researcher, highlighted the significance of the study's findings by stating, "It’s...
Five individuals were recently recognized for their outstanding contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community and the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) at the 2024 Burnside Watstein Awards ceremony. The awards, named after Chris Burnside and Sarah Watstein, aim to celebrate individuals who make a significant impact on the lives of LGBTQIA+ faculty, staff, and students at VCU.Josh Leidy, a member of the selection committee, highlighted that the recipients were chosen for embodying the work of past LGBTQ+ advocates and providing safe spaces for authenticity and growth within...
Amid personal turmoil and challenges, George Richardson found solace and purpose in sports throughout his youth. The death of his parents and separation from his siblings marked a tumultuous journey that ultimately led him to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he pursued a path that will allow him to pay forward the valuable life lessons he has learned.Richardson, set to graduate in May from VCU’s University College with a degree in interdisciplinary studies concentrating on educating youth in fitness and athletics, shared his journey of resilience and...
A potential ban on the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S. is causing concerns for its more than 150 million users and the influencers and brands that rely on the platform. Joshua Smith, an assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, emphasized the significance of this issue, stating, "Everyone who has a stake in TikTok, be that in time, money or social capital, would be affected by an outright ban."Smith highlighted the impact a ban would have on individual users, noting that they would lose access to their network, social support, and memories...
The University of Rochester saw a vibrant array of activities and events in March 2024, captured in a series of captivating photos by J. Adam Fenster. From academic pursuits to cultural performances, the month was filled with diverse experiences for students and faculty alike.In the Mary Ann Mavrinac Studio X in Carlson Library, a student was immersed in virtual reality, showcasing the integration of technology into educational settings. Meanwhile, visiting assistant professor Dmitry Bykov engaged students with recordings of Russian prison songs, shedding light on the...
Yale College has announced the admission of 2,146 applicants from a record applicant pool, marking a significant milestone in the institution's history. The newly admitted students, selected from the largest admissions pool in Yale's history, bring with them a diverse range of strengths, ambitions, and lived experiences.According to Jeremiah Quinlan, dean of undergraduate admissions and financial aid, the Class of 2028 comprises students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, two U.S. territories, and 62 countries. Quinlan highlighted the inspiring qualities seen...
Prominent history scholar, Edward Ayers, will be the keynote speaker at Virginia Commonwealth University's Memory Studies Lab's first public event on April 2. The event aims to introduce the lab and its work to the VCU community, according to Gabriel Reich, Ph.D., co-director of the lab. Reich stated, “We have created a rich intellectual community.”Ayers, a professor and president emeritus at the University of Richmond, has dedicated his career to making the past relevant to contemporary society and politics. He will draw from his new book, “American Visions: The United...
Virginia Commonwealth University is gearing up to launch its first-ever Innovation Month in April, a celebration of creators, innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurship across the institution."Innovation is at the heart of every VCU education, and this Innovation Month recognition is a terrific way not only to celebrate what’s happening throughout VCU today but perhaps spark that next great idea," expressed Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.The month-long event aims to spotlight the creativity, ingenuity, and...
The Yale Peabody Museum reopened its doors to the public after a four-year renovation, offering a transformative experience for visitors. Sofi Robles, a fifth grader, expressed her amazement upon seeing the Brontosaurus skeleton, saying, "I knew dinosaurs were big, but I didn’t know they were that big. I love it!"New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker highlighted the museum's importance in the community, stating, "It’s an awesome new space that is particularly inspiring because it’s so welcoming to the community." The museum, now offering free admission, aims to make its exhibits...
In a world where sifting through extensive government reports can be a time-consuming and daunting task, a group of students from Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, under the guidance of Professor Chris Goranson, has developed an innovative AI tool to streamline this process.The tool, named GovScan, aims to revolutionize the way government workers navigate through mountains of data in search of specific information. As described by team member Davis Craig, GovScan is likened to the 'Control F' search function on steroids,...
The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine recently held its Match Day event, where graduating students eagerly learned which specialties and hospitals they had matched to for their residency training. The event was filled with excitement and celebration as the Class of 2024 awaited their results.Associate deans Nicole Deiorio, M.D., and Chris Woleben, M.D., shared some impressive statistics from this year's match, including a 99% overall placement rate for the class. Additionally, 59 students will stay in Virginia for their residencies, with 37 of them...
A family of Pteranodon sternbergi, winged reptiles from the Late Cretaceous, has taken up permanent residence in the entrance lobby of the newly renovated Yale Peabody Museum. The life-sized models of these prehistoric creatures are set to welcome visitors when the museum reopens on March 26 after a four-year transformation.The decision to feature Pteranodon sternbergi in the museum's lobby was inspired by the fact that renowned Yale paleontologist and Peabody founder O.C. Marsh discovered the first Pteranodon fossils. According to Peabody Director David Skelly, "Given...
NBC White House correspondent and Virginia Commonwealth University alum, Aaron Gilchrist, recently shared his insights with students during a Q&A session at his alma mater. Gilchrist emphasized the importance of journalism, stating, “Our job is to watch people in power and make sure there’s an awareness about what’s going on.”During the session hosted by VCU’s Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture, Gilchrist spoke about the art of storytelling in journalism, highlighting the blend of science and art in the profession. He expressed his passion for meeting people...
New research from the Yale School of Medicine (YSM) has found that pregnancy may accelerate aging, but with a surprising twist. The study, published in Cell Metabolism, reveals that while pregnancy initially increases biological age, there is a significant reversal of this effect in the postpartum period.Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) Assistant Professor Kieran O’Donnell, PhD, led the research team in utilizing epigenetic data from a unique pregnancy cohort to measure biological aging using 'epigenetic clocks.' O’Donnell explained, "From early to late pregnancy,...
